(PARKERSBURG,
WV) - Authorities in Parkersburg are investigating a cluster of thefts resulting
from recent vehicle break-ins, and they’re reminding you to think twice before
leaving things you value in your car.

These thefts
have occurred at Erickson Field and the 1300 block of DuPont Road, and police
believe they are connected after witnesses provided information on stolen
property that was disposed of there.

“Typically, what we’ve seen in years past is
that these suspects target large parking
lots, and they identify valuables that are in their plain view, whether the
vehicle’s locked or not,” Martin says.

He says
sporting events are a particular target for these thieves, and that most people—especially
women with purses—leave belongings locked in cars because they don’t usually
need to take them into the events, and they also assume those belongings will
be there when they return.

Martin also
says the thieves in this case come to public events prepared with a thought-out plan, which
includes using tools to break windows.

“Usually, they have one or more lookouts in
these large parking lots, and one or two will be looking out and the other will
be doing the smash-and-grabs,” he says.

Chief Martin
also encourages folks to use a common sense approaches such as not leaving
valuables in plain view, which he believes will deter the would-be thieves. He
says locking items in trunks or securing belongings in other storage units are
also great ways to protect your belongings.

Some items
have been recovered and returned to victims in the investigation, but police
say the subjects have kept credit and debit cards. Police have advised those victims to contact
their banks to report the thefts.

The suspects
in the case are believed to be driving a gray van with Ohio registration, and
police are asking anyone with information on the suspects to call the
department at 304-424-8444.